2006 Le Mans Classic

[mr_tony]

Done the 24 hours twice now, but reading up on the 2006 classic has got me thinking about heading down there.
Anyone got any tips who has been before?

[james p]

Rich. Is this what happens to a chap when he forsakes Italian metal for Malvern? It will be string backed gloves with a helmet and goggles next!

Seriously tho, I have been thinking of doing the LM Classic next year instead of Monaco [saving some £ to sort out the front of the vehicle]. Have not really looked into it very far yet but was thinking of a little more luxury than June. I haven't found an organised trip yet although I have a couple of firms in mind who probably will run something. If there's enough interest how about a "Race What Race" type trip?

James

[Piglet]

We went to the Classic last year and it was great. It was very hot though! It was a very different weekend, much more continental (for that read not full of pissed brits who've had too much beer and sun!!). We stayed at the Ibis in Le Mans and it was much easier to get a hotel room than for the 24.

It was a great atmosphere, 24 50 minute races with proper Le Mans starts. Definately worth the trip, very different to the 24 but very good.

Happy Snapper's pictures from the Classic are here:

www.gtphotosport.com/lmhistoric2004/index.html

[Mark B]

It's a great weekend, excellent atmosphere and the racing is fantastic.

Next year's event is growing to include upto 1979 cars which will include cars such as the BMW M1's.

I have been to the previous two events and will definately be there in 2006. I will happily miss the June event to attend, not least because the mood has changed at the June event over recent years. Next year, the event is starting at lunchtime Friday for practice and I believe there are over 400 competing cars....

I am organising a group of about 20 cars and have a registered club which enables us to get preferential parking and the opportunity to drive the full LM circuit on the Saturday before the racing starts.

Hotels are difficult to find now, but I believe there are lot's of people organising tours which may have space.

It's a very different weekend to the June event, but equally excellent.....

[foster3jd]

Hi Mark,
Sounds interesting, I might be up for some of that action... Can you mail me details?
David.

[sleepezy]

Agreed with both Piglet and Mark.

Much much easier to get around, too & from the circuit (we stayed at a hotel on the Saturday night - never even tried that in a decade of going to the main race).

Also get tickets to go round the paddocks - great selection of cars etc. and the owners/drivers more than happy to chat.

We even managed to blag a tour round the circuit about an hour before the race started on one of the old buses - just waited for the chap manning the gate to be distracted & wandered through.

In my opinion, the only let down were the older cars (pre 60ish) - nice to see, but went comparatively slowly & not really racing. Oddly though, the oldest cars were great!!! - this is all a metter of personal preference though

We now switch between the classic and normal race - go the classic when it is running and the standard race in the intervening years.

[Mark B]

sleepezy said:

We now switch between the classic and normal race - go the classic when it is running and the standard race in the intervening years.

[skinner]

Hello
Looking for some advice really. Due to the spread in age group (20 - 60) I think the camping option is out the window....So, we are looking for a hotel near enough so that we can walk down to the circuit and have a beer or two. Anyone got any suggestions? Also, where is the best place to get tickets, or is it simpler to do the whole lot as a package to include ferry? And now for the really dumb one....is it held on the full circuit or the Bugatti?
Thanks

[Mark B]

skinner said:

Hello Looking for some advice really. Due to the spread in age group (20 - 60) I think the camping option is out the window....So, we are looking for a hotel near enough so that we can walk down to the circuit and have a beer or two. Anyone got any suggestions? Also, where is the best place to get tickets, or is it simpler to do the whole lot as a package to include ferry? And now for the really dumb one....is it held on the full circuit or the Bugatti? Thanks

Full circuit, it is quite excellent.
Hotel - No chance at all, end of!
The only option you will have is to join one of the organisers if they have space.
I am organising a group of 18 cars and the only hotel I could find (I did look seriously hard) is 30 miles out. Still a decent run in and out of the circuit everyday and our group does include some great cars

Seriously, I think you will be working very very hard to find something local yourself. Remember, there are over 1000 drivers alone, let alone team members, etc.

[//j17]

There will probably be plenty of space on the Maison Blanche camp site (was last year) and it's a very reasonable rate. If you don't want to be tent slumming it, how about you hire one of these...www.motorhomesdirect.co.uk/burstner-A747-2.htm £995 for a week (£695 for a short break) but sleeps 7.

[Cobra Andy]

Have to confess the cobras are all going to the classic this year, be rude not to really, so expect to see about 40 or so Cobs on parade. Most heading down Weds/Thurs so probably see you on the road somewhere.....

[Mark B]

Cobra Andy said:

Have to confess the cobras are all going to the classic this year, be rude not to really, so expect to see about 40 or so Cobs on parade. Most heading down Weds/Thurs so probably see you on the road somewhere.....

Are you all in the Classic Area parking and are you all doing the track laps... if not you need to seriously bash your organiser over the head with a big wooden spoon as this makes the weekend

(Just try driving harder than the GT40 kit car club who woosed their way round last year )

[richb]

sleepezy said:

In my opinion, the only let down were the older cars (pre 60ish) - nice to see, but went comparatively slowly & not really racing.

Which is strange because at the Goodwood Revival the pre-60's cars are absolutly racing - full on, balls out! I wonder what the difference in attitude is about? Rich...

[Piglet]

I have to disagree on the 'pre-60's cars. We walked alongside the track up towards the Porsche Curves (the benefit of a media pass!!) and I was absolutely gobsmacked at the way some of the old cars were being thrown around. The guys were bringing them through the curves sideways with the drivers handing out the sides of them trying to get them round the corners. It was absolutely awsome.

Some of KK's photo's are on the like below - you don't really get the impression of speed from the pics though.

www.gtphotosport.com/lmhistoric2004/index.html

[Cobra Andy]

Mark we did enquire re the laps etc but have been told its £70 a time each lap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there a way around this and getting to do them for free.......

[Mark B]

Cobra Andy said:

Mark we did enquire re the laps etc but have been told its £70 a time each lap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is there a way around this and getting to do them for free.......

It is £70 a time and you are supposed to get 2 laps, although because some fool drove there car into the gravel trap (????) last year some of the groups were reduced to only one lap. Believe me though, when you lump it in with the cost of the weekend it is well worth the money. It is a historic circuit to drive and this will almost certainly be the only chance you will ever have to drive it. They don't do track days there!

I did it last year and will do it every year until they stop it!!!!!! Don't forget it is 8 miles round....... Do it, you won't regret it!

[//j17]

As well as being £70, you also get told that it's behind the pace car.




It wasn't

[lafr]

Am i missing something here £70 for two laps

I was already looking forward to it but this could be the icing on the cake.

LAFR

[Mark B]

You need to be going with a Club and they need to be part of the Classic Car Parking Area to take part...

It is money well spent thoguh

[lafr]

That makes more sense, unfortunately

LAFR